Worm gearboxes boast compact design

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 5, 2005

New right-angled SWG Servoworm gearboxes offer designers in automation and machine building the ultimate compact, lightweight solution.

New right-angled SWG Servoworm gearboxes from ZF offer designers in automation and machine building the ultimate compact, lightweight solution.

With three levels of backlash precision available from 1 to 10arc-min maximum, the series is designed to meet the demands of the broadest possible range of servo drive applications, offering high levels of accuracy and performance to suit all market sectors and budgets.

Flexibility is further improved by the wide range of mounting options and shaft configurations available that offer ease of fitting into almost any system at the design or retrofit stage.

SWG units are available with three levels of accuracy - high precision, precision and standard - offering maximum levels of backlash of 1, 3 and 10arc-min, respectively.

However, the latest design innovations are common throughout the SWG range, allowing designers to maximise performance and minimise cost.

For example, all units are sealed with high performance polyglycol lubricant for extended operating life without the need for maintenance.

The single-stage right-angled configuration naturally allows for an extremely compact design unit with precision versions offering the low levels of backlash required for high accuracy tasks in manufacturing machine and assembly control systems.

Offering direct compatibility with competitive models, the range is also highly attractive to maintenance engineers for easy and reliable replacement units for retro-fitting.

A space optimised aluminium/magnesium alloy case also lends itself to use in weight critical automated assembly and packaging systems, with costs and flexibility making the gearboxes a preferred choice for large systems designers.

The case design allows for a wide variety of mounting options and units are available with hollow-bore, robot output flange or single output shafts with sizes 30-800 also supplied with a dual output option, making them ideal for conveyors and handling systems.

All units feature a computer optimised gear contact pattern that spreads the stress more evenly throughout the teeth, extending wear life and facilitating exceptionally quiet performance (less than 55dB).

This improved transmission design also allows for higher overloads and contributes towards highly rigid operation.

The worm-wheel is manufactured from specially developed bronze alloy and provides unmatched wear resistance.

Combined with 90% contact pattern, lowest backlash is maintained throughout the working life of the gearhead.

Thanks to ZF's specification of oversized taper roller bearings, the gearwheel and spindle can also transmit higher loads with a greater degree of rigidity and accuracy.

The bearing configuration itself consists of two sets of taper roller bearings and an additional set of floating ball bearings.

These are preloaded to allow for higher temperature variations and loads, offering faster input speeds and a longer wear life than other designs.

Reliable and backlash free connection to the drive shaft is achieved through a keyless shrink disc whilst a pinned and bound wheel ring design promotes 100% stiff and reliable interface.

Torque is transmitted from any servomotor available with a high degree of torsional rigidity via a ready fitted steel bellows coupling and flange kit.